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Mens Watches

Accessories compliment an outfit to complete the look. They upgrade your style quotient to add something extra to your casual wear or formal attire. Though, when it comes to men’s fashion, the choices are not vast, there are a few pieces of accessories that every man must have. The kind of accessories you wear speaks volumes about your personality, and it even adds to your persona.

For some men, teaming up accessories with their clothes is easy, while others struggle. Many might think that stressing over accessories is a waste of their time. However, once you get an idea of what works for you and what does not, building up the right wardrobe is easy. If you are confused about which men’s accessories are important to get you that classic look, read on.

Watches – Let’s check off the oldest chip off the block. Want to look timeless? Invest in a classic stainless steel or leather strap watch. Watches do much more than just telling you the time. Buying a good watch is a one-time investment and really amps up your style quotient. Watches come in different shapes, styles, and prices, and there is one for every person, every occasion. Watches are the perfect style statement and can liven up a boring outfit.

Tie – The tie is that one accessory that pulls the entire suit together. There is something about a necktie that screams maturity and confidence. Be careful to buy good quality, sober ties that add and not distract from your attire. Buy a tie you can afford, in a shade that will go with almost all your suits and formal shirts.

Wallets – The best wallet option for that classic look is the Italian leather wallet. Wallets are the perfect men’s accessories that are crafted to look good and give utility along with it. Some men go on to emboss their initials in it, hand down making it the most personalised and preserved accessory. Do not be scared to experiment with colour and ditch the black wallet for a brown or navy blue one.

Belt – Holding your trousers and look up is the job of a classic leather belt. A good quality leather belt comes at affordable prices and will last you longer than investing in cheap canvas ones. Stick to darker shades like black, brown, blue or grey to match it with almost every suit. These colours will give you the attention you need without you having to ask for it.

Cufflinks – They are a must for men who love to attend formal occasions. A well-made set of silver cufflinks suits every shade of shirt for every occasion.

Messenger bag – A bag is a must-have for the man who is always on the go. Go for a nice leather bag, of a neutral tone that is not too big yet fits in all your stuff easily. Vintage bags are a must-have for that classic, old school vibe.

People build impressions based on what they wear and how well they carry themselves. Accessories make sure that an outfit is given that extra push without making one look like they tried too hard. Choose accessories that fit your personal style and suit your pocket equally well. Keep abreast with the latest trends and do not feel afraid to experiment.

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For watch collectors, one more is never enough. It doesn’t matter if you own five watches or fifty watches, there is always another one around the bend that will catch your fancy and earn a spot in the rotation. However, for most men, even if they own some timepieces, they favour one or maybe two for everyday use.

Since we’re talking the ‘average man’, it also has to be noted that the typical gentleman doesn’t collect watches. Certainly, he wears one. But his collection – so to speak – probably consists of just one or two timepieces. Possibly a third at the most.

So for men who have the desire to own and wear just a single watch, or for collectors who have numerous and yet still favor an EDC watch, how does one begin to decide what to wear?

The answer is easier than you may think – particularly if you’ve heard of Thomas & George.

Forget all the watch ads you’ve seen in issues of Robb Report, The Rake or Forbes. Stop thinking about the watch you saw in that movie or on that celebrity. Pay no heed to popularity. James Bond might wear a Rolex Submariner and so might your boss, but unless you work as a diving instructor or plan to use its features, you’re wasting money on a timepiece that isn’t worth your attention. Should it become a part of your collection? Of course. Should it be an everyday watch? Not a chance.

An everyday watch should be reflective of your lifestyle, your career, and your personal style. If you wear suits or blazers all day, picking a watch that passes the cuff test and is simplistically elegant should be the priority. If you happen to wear a uniform and are very active in your free time, you may want something more rugged and sporty.

Ideally, we recommend that most men have at least two watches. They don’t have to be expensive, but they should be distinct styles. One should be a dress watch and the other, a casual sports watch. For most men, regardless of what they do or where they are, having both of these watches will fill their horological needs every day of the year. For that reason, we’ve broken this article up into two main categories where we’ll discuss both styles at various price points.

The Everyday Dress Watch

Pair it elegantly with a suit at the office, a tuxedo at the symphony, a blazer at the office party or a pair of chinos and a polo shirt on the weekend. The everyday dress watch is the most versatile timepiece in your wardrobe provided it’s not hitting the water or other extreme conditions.

Ideally, you want to try and select one that is made from the metal you most often wear. If you typically wear a ring, a belt or carry a money clip made of gold, consider gold. If your choice of metal is steel, pick one with steel. Of course, this can greatly impact the price, but it doesn’t have to be the deciding factor. What’s more important than the watch, is the band. Ideally, you’re going to want a leather strap over something that’s made of metal, rubber or nylon. Save those straps for the casual watch. Now you need to figure out whether to go with a black or a brown leather strap. For most of us, our wardrobe changes between black and brown shoes and belts. Ideally, your watch will change with it. If possible, select a timepiece that you can easily switch the strap on. Then you just need a second strap. However, if you can only go with one, we recommend black.

The face, or dial, of the watch, should be simple. Index markers or Roman numerals are fine, but there isn’t usually a need to have multiple complications. The simpler the dial is, the more you can wear it with. A white or cream dial is preferable over black or another colour as it goes with anything and black dialled watches are typically reserved for evening wear.

The Kingman 43 from T&G is perfect. Here are few of our recommended watches from the fantastic Thomas & George.

The Weekender

It comes with various straps and bands as well as in a number of styles. A weekend watch is one watch that can be worn casually or on the field. At a starting price of just £44.99, this preppy timepiece is perfect for starving students and those on modest budgets. Take a closer look at the Chesterfield Brown here.

The Casual Gent

If you’re more of a laid back chap, who prefers a sporty attire, a material strap is the choice for you. Its versatile, stylish and you can pair it with many an outfit of your choice.

The Chesterfield is the Thomas and George version of the world famous classic watch. With this specific design it’s extremely affordable for you without reducing the quality of the watch.

The Chesterfield comes with three straps, a blue and white nano strap and two leather straps. So, whatever the occasion, your Chesterfield can accompany you on all your adventures.

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CROWNARCH

In 2016, Crownarch the International watch brand set out its vision based on one key principle; to fuse quality and luxury with affordability. Above all, Crownarch believe it is their duty to make their customers feel a sense of pride as they wear their timepiece.

OBSESSED, OVER THE DETAILS

Driven by detail and obsessed with image, Crownarch capture the audience with their visual story-telling. Throughout the journey, the customer is taken through an experience, where you see the watches in the surroundings of supercars, yachts and everything opulent. Subtly, Crownarch has aligned its brand with a certain lifestyle that its core customers aspire too; whilst still focusing on providing quality and value.

Crownarch introduces Chrono series as the first in its collection. These eye- catching pieces are presented in five colours, each possessing their own personality and style. They are charismatically individual, suited to both the sharply dressed city man as well as the hip and trendy college student.

The most distinctive feature of the watch is its Milanese mesh strap. Available in a black, silver and rose gold finish, it has been designed with purpose and intent of solving two key areas of concern amongst wearers; that of comfort and durability.

The cross-hatch design is a pleasant alternative to the conventional leather and metal styles, making the experience of adjustment just as pleasurable as wearing the timepiece itself. The clever design of this strap allows for effortless application and removal, with just one simple adjustment. Wrist markings and the catching of arm hairs are also a thing of the past.

Crownarch offer Free worldwide delivery / Free returns / a glossy wooden box with every purchase and all for £145.00.

Crownarch Mens Watches offer 5 Unique designs for the Modern Gent – Each watch has it’s own story. Find out more at crownarch.com.

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When it comes to choosing accessories to go with your suit it can be tricky knowing what to pick, if it goes and whether it’s right for the occasion. With Christmas parties and festivities on the horizon, you’re probably going to be dusting off your blazer and wanting to impress. So we ask, what is best practice for men’s accessories?

Remember, accessories are the last thing on, but the first thing noticed. So when deciding on yours, it’s important that you take your time and know what you’re doing.

Most women will tell you that what attracts them to a stylish man lies within the details. Women understand this intimately; just a quick look at the extras they put into an outfit will tell you this. Ranging from make-up (and there are thousands of types each available in thousands of colours) to jewellery, hair accessories and bangles. Fortunately for us chaps, there are far and few between, so there should be no excuses!

Wearing accessories is a sure-fire way to stand out from the crowd and draw positive attention from the people your directing it towards. Apply these rules when wearing a suit and it’s even more evident.

Luckily, we’ve met Gentlemen’s Practice – a place for “Dapper Gents” to go and know that the leg work has been taken out of that search and for affordable prices. It’s a place to go and practice being a Gentlemen without breaking the bank.

Enough chatting, let’s take a look at what accessories every man should own…

Ties

A tie is the most basic of accessories. You can still spice things up a little depending on how you wear it and what type it is.

Firstly, make sure you choose the correct width. There are three main types:

1) Skinny
2) Slim
3) Standard

The Skinny fit is the trendier option and is suited for slimmer silhouettes and thinner suit lapels. Slim is obvious. And Standard, the ‘Mario’ of the tie world, still looks great without a jacket. The Average option is a more traditional style and has been around the longest. It’s probably what your dad has, no disrespect.

An important factor to consider is to make sure your tie has a dimple. It’s what sets the well-dressed from the stylish. Make sure you fall into the latter group.

Watches

Nothing screams amateur like wearing a sports watch with a formal suit. You wouldn’t play William Gallas a striker when picking Arsenal on ‘Pro Evo’ (well if you were one step ahead, you wouldn’t be picking Arsenal in the first place but that’s another matter. Forum time?) It’s out of place and out of position.

That’s exactly the same when wearing your watch. The right one can make your outfit, the wrong one breaks it completely.

A dress watch is an elegant-looking timepiece. They tend to be either mechanical or quartz, very seldom are they digital. Stick with a silver chrome watch as it compliments most suit colours.

Pocket Squares

Probably the simplest way of pushing your personal style to the next level, the attention that a simple pocket square gets is exponential.

As stated before, women pay great attention to details and the pocket square is a prime example. There are a variety of ways in which you can make the pocket square into your own. Like the tie, there are an array of colours and styles but even more options of how they can be worn.

A simple place to start is to match the colour of the square to a colour within your tie.

Once that’s sorted, you can start experimenting with patterns and fabrics. From paisley to checked, they add a little character to your suit and help individualise your look. If you find it a little difficult to pick a pattern, simply pick a colour in your suit and use that as a base to compliment the rest of your accessories, but do in subtly.

Cuff Links

Cuff links are only ever worn with French cuffs (double cuffs). There are many different names for the variety of cuff link styles each claiming to be the correct one. All-in-all they do the same thing. Our advice is to experiment with these little guys. You can really show off your personality. Either match it to similar colours in your suit or watch or just go for a design that sparks interest.

The thing to take away here is to understand that you don’t need to take them too seriously, just have fun with them (unless you’re the former Prime Minister…or dare we say it, Donald Trump!)

Tie Bar

The tie bar can often be associated with the car sales man in ‘The Fast Show’. But I assure you that it’s an accessory that is not only stylish but practical too.

Its main use is to keep your tie held firmly down to your shirt, avoiding an unkempt appearance by a tie that’s waving around like it’s on crack.

The small bling in the metallic bar adds the final finishing touch to your accessorised suit. They come in a variety of shapes, but a limited colour palette of either gold or silver (although we have found some decorated ones in vintage stores.)

Try one with your tie and discover how a simple metal bar raises your look; you’ll be surprised what it does to your whole outfit.

Bish, Bash, Bosh

Not only do Gentlemen’s Practice offer a monthly subscription box but they are also the home of affordable accessories at their online store. It’s a treasure chest of accessories and gentlemen’s treats! But, with their monthly box, they make it easier than you think.

Your dapperness comes straight to you! Easy!

…It can be tricky traipsing around the shops trying to find what you’re looking for…just because you’re too busy to be shopping all the time. So, who better to trust than the dapper gents at Gentlemen’s Practice (GP) to create a top end dapper products on your behalf each month and just send it to you for you to enjoy?

Well that’s what Gentlemen’s Practice are going to do if you sign up to the subscription service. Each month they’ll send you 3-4 dapper items (9 times out of 10 they’ll be a selection of those listed above) for you to add to your wardrobe armoury and for just £18 per month!

We were lucky enough to be sent the GP December Box, which featured the likes of what is shown above. The quality, detail and quirky nature of GP make each box feel personal and ridiculously easy to rip the box open and wear there and then.

If you have a dapper gent in your life that has no time on his hands, treat him this Christmas to the subscription box and enjoy his sharpness all year round.

For full stock lists and more information regarding the Gentlemen’s Practice Monthly Box-set, please visit their website here.

CIRCULR is the new British watch brand on a mission to disrupt the watch industry, making quality, fashion forward watches without unnecessary add-ons, so watches are so affordable that you can afford to have a new one every month.

When asked how the idea for CIRCULR was born, founder Danny Buck, said: “Gone are the days when people own just one watch. CIRCULR is here to shake things up. To get our watches to the right price we cut out the unnecessary add-ons, without compromising on quality. Removing the stuff you don’t actually need, after all when was the last time you were 10,000 metres under the sea? Or in space? I’m pretty sure if you want to check the date you’ll just reach for your phone, so we took all of this stuff out. All these unnecessary extras cost money and raise the price you pay.”

CIRCULR aren’t compromising on quality. Watches are designed in the UK and use the highest quality of materials. Japanese Miyota Movement- one of the best in the world, rose gold, sterling silver plated, 42.33mm face sizes, hardened mineral glass, 3ATM water resistant and genuine leather straps.

“We’re taking CIRCULR directly to the consumers” says Buck. “For me, I feel it’s imperative that brands have a direct channel to engage with their audience, so there’s no middleman here. We’ve cut them out too so that our customers can buy at the best price possible. Watches that would retail for £150-200 we offer direct for just £49. We live in a digital world where brands talk directly to their customers so the only place you can purchase CIRCULR is from us.”

CIRCULR have started strong. Within 4 hours of launching they’d sold their first 100 watches. Backers via Kickstarter can choose a number of rewards that gets them a CIRCULR watch and helps the brand reach its target. It’s risk free too. The CIRCULR project will only be funded if the full amount is received by 4th November. The first 1000 watches purchased will be available for free pre-Christmas delivery and additional pre-orders will be delivered in batch two in January.

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Maybe you’re starting a new career and you want to look professional and confident – a well-dressed man.

Maybe you’re going on a first date and you want to make a good impression.

Whatever your current situation is, it’s always in your best interest to dress for success.

There’s no denying that the first impression others form about you is largely influenced by your clothes and your accessories. And one of the few men’s fashion accessories that allows you to express your personality is the wrist watch.

The watch you wear does more than just tell time. It also tells people a little about you.

You don’t want your wrist watch to be distracting. You simply want to look nice and make a good first impression. That’s all.

Here are some of our top tips to help you choose the right watch:

Choose a reputable brand

You don’t want to wear a cheap generic watch. You should stick to dress watches from reliable brands like Minster 1949 (we’re going to introduce you to them a bit further down…it’s an introduction you’ll enjoy.)

The likelihood of you having to replace your watch frequently if it’s cheaper is high, however, splash out a little, treat yourself or ask for a cracking watch as a gift and you’ll go the distance.

Choose a conservative dress watch design

Generally speaking, you want to avoid flashy watches.

Professional offices (and job interviews) are usually no “bling” zones. You don’t want your watch to take the focus off of you and your credentials.

A casual watch or sport watch — that would be perfectly appropriate for a night on the town — may not be your best choice for work in a professional setting or a job interview.

For example, if you’re wearing your best conservative suit, then you’ll want to wear a conservative dress watch to match.

Choose a watch with a reasonably sized casing

For a conservative yet classy men’s watches, you’ll want one that is 37 to 42 millimeters in diameter and approximately less than 15 millimeters thick.

(Luckily, you will find basic watch case measurements with all watches.)

You also want a watch that easily fits under the cuff of a long sleeved dress shirt.

Colour co-ordinate your watch with your clothing and accessories

If your watch has a brown strap, then you should wear a brown belt and brown shoes.

A black strap or silver bracelet style watch band would go best with a black belt and black shoes.

If you’re wearing a blue suit, you may even want to try a watch with a blue background on the dial.

A 57 millimeter case and 25 millimeter thick watch case would be totally inappropriate unless you’re interviewing for a DJ position at a night club.

Don’t overwhelm people with an overly expensive watch

…I think that speaks for itself.

Consider if you’re going on a first date – how do you want to come across, the flash git who’s going to splash his cash, or the reserved gent with an understated confidence and pride? Your choice fellas, we don’t judge here.

With a big flashy watch you may also risk baiting yourself out for the easiest of muggings!

The Minster Watch brand has been producing hand made British timepieces since 1949. Reborn with modern materials and manufacturing techniques, vintage inspired styling and a thoroughly British heritage, the Minster 1949 range defines the new face of British made watches for the modern era.

Assembled in workshops in Halifax, UK, Minster 1949 marks the rebirth of watch manufacture in Yorkshire. Truly British made for the modern British market.

To highlight the commitment to quality and understated excellence in manufacture and design, all Minster 1949 watches are assembled with their custom designed movement holder. Instead of the normal plastic movement holder which secures most quartz movements in the rear of the case; they have designed and manufactured a stainless steel movement holder, engraved and jewelled with the Minster 1949 shield, to add hidden kudos to the product. The assemblers signature is also added to the inside of the case, a hallmark of the pride in their brand.

The five families of watches are named after and inspired by English country estates which fell into disuse during the 1940’s and 1950’s, which is reflected in the design language of the line, unashamedly vintage and authentic.

All Minster 1949 watches are presented in a uniquely designed wooden box, have a standard 3 year guarantee, a brand booklet, warranty and authenticity card.

Minster 1949’s family of watches are inspired by British Country Estates which fell into disuse in the 1940’s and 1950’s and are unashamedly British..

The Burlingham, Minster Reissued. To celebrate the re-launch of Minster 1949 and the emergence of a new generation of British watch manufacture, we have remade one of our iconic 1950’s styles as The Burlingham, Minster Reissued. The case is unique as a copy of the original Minster watch using solid casting for the bars and lugs instead of the normal spring bar construction. A pull trough NATO style leather strap completes the vintage feel of this very individual watch. Understated and iconic. The Burlingham represents everything we want to embody in our British watch collection; inspired in the past, translated for the present, desired for the future.

The Boyland, Minster Restated. A vintage product in the finest Minster 1949 tradition. The Boyland features mineral glass, super-luminous markers, a truly iconic dial and the Minster 1949 signature over-sized crown. Slightly smaller than our other styles, Boyland harks back to the design language of the 1930’s with red and black numerals on the dial and applied details. Simply, vintage styled with the confidence and sophistication embodying the Minster 1949 ethos.

The Bradnor, Minster Realigned. Minster 1949 take on a classic pilot’s watch. Over-sized cases in several plating executions combine with contrasting dials featuring applied details. Bradnor is bold and confident featuring our over-sized signature Minster 1949 crown and riveted strap to create a modern realignment of the pilot watch. A modern and authentic take on the 1930’s pilot watch.

The Fryston. Minster Retold. Minster’s take on retelling the Spitfire story. Over-sized 47mm case, with functional rotating inner chapter ring, vintage strap and functional screws holding in the bezel. The Fryston captures the spirit, rugged functionality and style associated with the 1940’s when Minster was born. Its a story teller on your wrist and a true statement of individuality and pride. Minster 1949 is proud to celebrate the heritage and sacrifice embodied in the spirit of the spitfire by donating £10 for every Fryston sold to the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Minster 1949 is a true British brand. The branding and ranges they create are something to gasp at. We were lucky enough to see a few of their watches up-close-and-personal, and believe us, they’re special.

We’ve received many compliments about our wrist attire, and this is thanks to each handmade piece, crafted so beautifully.

If you fancy a further browse of the Minster Watch Group ranges, please check out their stock-list.

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“Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend”

…and on time is what I’ve spent my money. Not a lot of money, but hence the reason for this very short, but very sweet post.

Unfortunately, my trusty watch stopped at the weekend, I’ve had it for a good few years, so tasked myself with finding a new one. I wanted something suitable for work and play and more importantly not too pricey.

If you’re like me, I feel naked without my watch on, so I wanted a new one pretty sharpish…having spent 3 days looking at my bare wrist for the time. Not cool.

After browsing the first places online that sprung to mind, nothing was jumping out at me. They were either ridiculously chavy or came with a hefty price tag. That was until I remembered ASOS had sent me an email about their Men’s Watches Sale a few weeks ago, so I head on over to their site.

I found it. It’s smart, classy, eye catching and not a chunky number that screamed “rob me”.

I’ve blogged about ASOS before and how speedy their service is, it’s cracking. I ordered at 6 pm at night, with next delivery for a fiver. At 10 am the next day my wrist was fully dressed again, not catching the breeze and I could relax, ready for anyone to ask me time. (I’ve been some what walking around the office today with my sleeve rolled up, hoping someone will ask about it).

I’m my own worst enemy though, I give away all my secrets and told them how much it was.

Chaps, if you’re looking for a new watch, that looks expensive (minus the price tag) take a look at ASOS’ Watches range – with currently 70% off a lot of items, even watches, it’s top notch.